Arizona Homeschool Laws
Arizona has a dedicated homeschool law, and it is easy to follow. A homeschool is a nonpublic school taught mainly by a parent or guardian, or instruction given in the child’s home. To start, you file a one-time affidavit of intent with your county school superintendent. File it within 30 days after you begin homeschooling. You also give the county a copy of your child’s birth certificate. School is required from age 6 to 16. However, parents of a child under 8 may file an affidavit to wait until age 8.
Day to day, you must teach reading, grammar, math, social studies, and science. There is no required testing and no set number of school days. You do not need a teaching license. Also, homeschoolers may try out for sports and other activities at their local public school. If you stop homeschooling or move out of the county, tell the county superintendent within 30 days. In addition, Arizona offers an Empowerment Scholarship Account (ESA) to every K-12 student. Still, ESA students are not legally homeschoolers, so the rules differ. For full details on each topic, open the sections below.
Ages 6 to 16 (A.R.S. 15-802). Children must attend school or follow the homeschool law starting in the school year in which they turn 6 before September 1. They must stay in school until they turn 16 or complete 10th grade (HSLDA: Compulsory School Age in Arizona).
Waiting until age 8: If your child is not yet 8 by September 1 and you do not want to begin home instruction until age 8, file an affidavit of intent stating that with the county school superintendent (A.R.S. 15-802(B)(3)).
None. State law says it does not require testing of children while they are receiving homeschool instruction (A.R.S. 15-745).
A child who enrolls in a public school after homeschooling will be tested to find the right grade placement (A.R.S. 15-745(B)).
Reading, grammar, mathematics, social studies, and science (A.R.S. 15-802(A)).
Yes. File an affidavit of intent with the county school superintendent within 30 days after your child begins homeschooling. It must include:
- The child’s name and date of birth.
- The current address of the school the child is attending, if any.
- The names, telephone numbers, and addresses of the people who have custody of the child.
It is not required again unless homeschooling stops and then resumes. If you stop homeschooling, notify the county superintendent within 30 days. If you resume, file a new affidavit within 30 days (A.R.S. 15-802(C)). Failing to file the affidavit is a petty offense (A.R.S. 15-802(E)).
Birth certificate: Provide a certified copy of your child’s birth certificate (a notarized photocopy of the original is enough). If you cannot get one, you may give other proof of identity and age with an affidavit explaining why (HSLDA: How to Comply with Arizona’s Homeschool Law).
Your county school superintendent’s office can tell you how it accepts filings. HSLDA suggests sending the affidavit by certified mail, return receipt requested (HSLDA).
No. State law does not set attendance records or a number of school days for homeschools (A.R.S. 15-802). Keeping records is still wise (HSLDA: The Importance of Recordkeeping in Arizona).
Yes. A homeschooled child who lives in a public school’s attendance area may try out for that school’s interscholastic activities in the same way as enrolled students. The same rules apply for registration, age, fees, insurance, physical condition, behavior, and performance (A.R.S. 15-802.01).
The parent or person giving primary instruction must send written verification of whether the student is earning a passing grade in each subject and making satisfactory progress. A homeschooled child who was enrolled in a school earlier in the year cannot take part for the rest of that school year. School districts may not contract with an activities association that bans homeschoolers (A.R.S. 15-802.01; HSLDA).
None for homeschoolers (HSLDA: Arizona Homeschool Law).
ESA students are not homeschoolers under state law. Arizona’s Empowerment Scholarship Account (ESA) is open to all K-12 students. ESA families can use the funds for home education. However, a parent who signs an ESA contract agrees not to file a homeschool affidavit (A.R.S. 15-2402(B)(5)). If you already filed a homeschool affidavit and your child is accepted into the ESA program, notify the county school superintendent within 30 days that your child is no longer being homeschooled (Arizona Department of Education ESA FAQ). See our Arizona School Choice Options page.
Records: Records can help with a driver’s license, military enlistment, college applications, or Social Security benefits (HSLDA).
- Arizona Revised Statutes: A.R.S. 15-802 (school instruction; homeschool affidavit), 15-802.01 (interscholastic activities), 15-745 (no testing of homeschoolers), and 15-2402 (ESA contract)
- HSLDA: Arizona Homeschool Law and How to Comply with Arizona’s Homeschool Law (March 27, 2025)
- HSLDA: Compulsory School Age in Arizona and HSLDA: Public School Access for Homeschoolers in Arizona
- Arizona Department of Education: H.B. 2853 ESA FAQ
Last reviewed: October 31, 2026
*The information on this page is for general use only. It should not be taken as legal advice. It is believed to be accurate however state and federal laws change every year. Homeschool.net recommends joining an organization such as the Home School Legal Defense Association before your homeschooling adventure begins. HSLDA can provide complete, accurate, legal advice and services for homeschooling families.
Update History
No changes in law noted since this page was first published.